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Several practices to improve writing skill

by
Heidi
Having gathered some methods about how to improve writing skill, apply to both English and Chinese.
1. Transcription. This can exert a subtle influence on our writing thinking, we can therefore master the correct use of words and sentences.
How to do it?
In the first place, the material used to be transcribed should be selected. For English, New Concept English is good; for Chinese, I guess we can try Appreciation Dictionary of Modern Essays（现代散文鉴赏辞典）. Then regarding the way to copy, one should never do it word by word, but sentence by sentence. Each time you finished is a complete sentence, until the whole essay is accomplished.
Keep this point in your mind when you are transcribing: please focus on the structure of the sentences, the usage of the words and the connection between contents; you are not practicing calligraphy.
2. Change words. Change words for an essay, we can say it is half transcription.
How to do it?
Change one word every sentence. For English, nouns, pronouns or numerals could be changed, but the grammar words are what we need to imitate, we can keep them.
Let’s have a look at a example.
Original:

Please Send Me A Card

Postcards always spoil my holidays. Last summer, I went to Italy. I visited museums and sat in public gardens. A friendly waiter taught me a few words of Italian. Then he lent me a book. I read a few lines, but I did not understand a word. Every day I thought about postcards. My holidays passed quickly, but I did not send any cards to my friends. On the last day, I made a big decision. I got up early and bought thirty-seven cards. I spent the whole day in my room, but I did not write a single card.

Changed:

Please Send Me A Card

Postcards often spoil my holidays. Last autumn, I went to France. I visited schools and sat in public places. A friendly servant taught me a few words of French. Then he lent me a magazine. I read several lines, but I did not understand a word. Every night I thought about postcards. My holidays passed quickly, but I did not send any cards to my schoolmates. On the last morning, I made a big decision. I got up early and bought twenty-seven cards. I spent the whole day in the hotel, but I did not write a single card.
This kind of practice is not just a imitation, but also a small creation.
Either of the above means, the key to be effective is perseverance, there is no shortcut for improving the writing skill.